Sony’s innovative open air LinkBuds have a sequel and so do the closed LinkBuds S. The new models are simply called LinkBuds Open and LinkBuds Fit. There is a speaker too (which makes a lot of sense, we’ll get to it).
Sony LinkBuds Open
The Sony LinkBuds Open have been redesigned for a more comfortable fit with the Air Fitting Supporters that allow you to wear them all day. Their open design allows you to hear ambient sounds and conversations instead of faking it with the ANC system. Not having your ear canal plugged up with a rubber tip also helps with long wear comfort.
Sony redesigned the open ring driver. It’s an 11mm circular driver with neodymium magnets that hooked up to Sony’s Integrated Processor V2, which was previously featured on the premium WF-1000XM5. The Open support DSEE and Adaptive Volume Control, which adjust the sound level based on your surroundings.
Connection is handled by Bluetooth 5.3 with multi-point connectivity and support for AAC and LC3 audio codecs. The buds support voice commands, but that doesn’t involve the usual cast of digital assistants (Siri, Google Assistant, etc.). With head tracking available, these also support 360 Audio.
Gesture and voice controls, same chip as the WF-1000XM5
The LinkBuds Open have much improved battery life and can last up to 8 hours continuously and up to 22 hours with the charging case (up from 5.5/17.5 hours on the original LinkBuds). The case is pretty tiny at 46 x 46 x 29.4mm and 30.6g. The buds are rated IPX4, so you can go out in the rain and not worry about them.
The Sony LinkBuds Fit are the sequel to the LinkBuds S and have a closed design. These also have Air Fitting Supporters and Earbuds Tips – Sony sells replacements in different colors, so you can customize your style. Speaking of style, Sony has partnered with Olivia Rodrigo and is offering her signature violet colorway (but only in the US, more on availability later). Additionally, case covers are available for even more customization.
The Fit have also been designed to be worn for long periods of time and Sony has put a lot of work into making them comfortable. They also offer excellent noise cancellation – like the Open, these have the Integrated Processor V2 – and also Auto Ambient Sound mode for when you need to hear your surroundings.
Sony LinkBuds Fit
The Fit also have better audio codec support with LDAC and LC3 and are certified for Hi-Res Audio Wireless. Both Open and Fit buds support simultaneous Bluetooth transmission, meaning that the left and right bud have their own connection to your phone (the old-fashioned way is for one bud to connect to the phone and to send audio to the other bud).
In addition to voice control, the new LinkBuds also support Wide Area Tap – the usual tap gestures can be performed by tapping your cheek instead of having to aim for the buds themselves.
The Fit are also rated IPX4. The Fit, Open and Speaker use recycled plastics, while their packaging includes no plastics.
These gestures, plus equalizer settings and more can be configured with the new Sound Connect app. You can set up quick access to your favorite music player, be it the phone’s own app or Spotify. This app also supports the new LinkBuds Speaker.
The LinkBuds Fit can last up to 5.5 hours with ANC on or up to 8 hours with it off. With the case, the listening time goes up to 21 hours (an hour longer than the LinkBuds S lasted). The Fit case measures 47.2 x 47.2 x 32.6 mm and weighs 41g.
The new Sound Connect app
The idea of the speaker is that it integrates with the LinkBuds Open and Fit (the old LinkBuds S are supported too), allowing you to seamlessly switch between listening through the headphones or through the speaker. Imagine coming home, taking out the headphones and your music or podcast just continuing to play on the speaker.
The speaker normally lives on a charging dock, but has a built-in battery that can last as long as 25 hours at a reasonable volume or up to 6 hours at full blast.
Sony LinkBuds Speaker
The Speaker has a tweeter and a woofer (X-Balanced Speaker), plus passive radiators. You will find a 5-band equalizer and a Clear Bass setting in the Sound Connect app. The Quick Access button offers the same easy access to your favorite music services as the buds have.
The Sony LinkBuds Open are available for pre-order now and cost USD 200 / CAD 300. You can find them on Sony.com, Amazon and Best Buy, along with select retailers. The Open will be released on October 11. As noted above, the violet color is available only in the US (for now), the same goes for accessories like the case covers and Air Fitting Supporters.
The Sony LinkBuds Fit are on pre-order now and cost the same: USD 200 or CAD 300. Check them out on Sony.com, Amazon and Best Buy, plus select retailers. The Fit will be released on November 1. These have their own case covers and Air Fitting Supporters, which cost USD 20 and USD 10, respectively.
The Sony LinkBuds Speaker will be available only in the US for now. You can pre-order it from Sony.com and Amazon for USD 180. The speaker will be out on October 11.
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